The Samurai's Garden, written by Gail Tsukiyama, is a historical fiction novel set in the late 1930s during the Japanese invasion of China. The story follows a young Chinese painter, Stephen, who seeks refuge in a small coastal village in Japan. There, he befriends Matsu, a wise and compassionate Japanese gardener, and discovers the beauty of the samurai's garden. The book explores themes of friendship, love, and the healing power of nature, providing a unique perspective on the Japanese feudal era through the eyes of a foreign protagonist.
